Redesign and differences between the 2009 and new 2010 Jetta/Golf TDI

This article reviews the mechanical and cosmetic differences between the 2009 Jetta TDI and 2010
Golf and Jetta TDI sportwagen wagon, sedan, and hatchback.

VW used
to have clear differences between generations of cars. From 2009-2010
there were a number of small changes in electronics, modules, and chassis in the
Jetta sedan, sportwagen, and Golf. They also changed the engine code from
CBEA to CJAA. Some of these differences are due to the mk5 vs. mk6 generational
change and some were 2009 vs. 2010 differences. They basic 2.0L common rail TDI engine
is unchanged despite the small mechanical changes but the cars have
different chassis due to the rolling transition from 5th to 6th generation VW
models.

Summary of differences:All 2009 Jetta use a 5th generation (mk5/mkv/A5/PQ35) body and
interior.
The 2010 Jetta sedan will continue to use a 5th generation body with some
minor cosmetic and electronic updates.
The 2010-11 Jetta/Golf station wagon gets electronic and cosmetic
updates to look like the 6th gen Golf but it does not use a full 6th gen
chassis.
The 2010 Golf
uses the full 6th gen body, exterior, and interior. The 2011 VW Jetta
sedan is all new.

All Jetta sedan, Golf, and wagons got mk6 electronics for 2010. The
visible differences are the instrument cluster, steering wheel, and radio.
Although VW calls the 2010 Jetta/Golf wagon a mk6 6th generation car, it's
really half 5th gen and half 6th gen. Other than the electronics, the main
differences are the front
bumpers/fenders/headlights. Most of
the functional non-cosmetic and non-electronic changes on the wagon for 2010 are also on the 2010 sedan which VW still calls a
mk5. Many parts are interchangeable between mk5 Jetta/Golf and mk6 Golf.

These differences are because of the rolling transition from 5th to 6th
generation and because the Jetta station wagon is very popular in
Europe but called the Golf variant there. VW is updating only the look of the
wagon (without updating the underlying body) to keep all models called Golf looking the same.
The model name "Golf Wagon" will replace "Jetta sportwagen" in Canada. Therefore, the station wagon will be
called Golf wagon/variant everywhere except the US, where it will continue to be
called the
Jetta sportwagen.

The 6th generation PQ35 platform is a
refinement of the 5th generation platform. The Jetta sedan will
transition to an all new 6th gen body and a new platform most likely for the 2011
model year. Since
the Jetta wagon is known in Europe/Canada as the Golf wagon/variant, it's not known if future
wagons will be built on the Golf or Jetta platform. Either way, the wagon
will probably get a major overhaul in 2012 at the earliest.

Reason for the changeThe mk5 cars were too expensive to manufacture. VW equipped the mk5 cars upmarket from earlier generation VW so the cost
followed. Small expensive cars sell well in Europe but not in the US. Therefore, the mk5 cars had rolling changes
to reduce the cost by removing standard equipment from base TDI such as rain
sensing wipers, climatronic auto climate control, side mirror puddle lights, homelink, etc.
The mk6 Jetta was further decontented although the price went down as
well. The
mk6 Golf body is less expensive to build yet has an even higher quality
feel and greater refinement. This was done by streamlining the manufacturing
process and simplifying electronics and assembly modules.
The number of pieces and complexity of assembly was reduced and more laser
welding process was used. Reviews have stated that the stiffer chassis has
resulted in better handling/comfort, everything else being equal.

2013 mk7 Golf EDIT: the mk7 Golf has since been revealed. See the mk7 TDI forum for more details.VW overhauled the Golf for model year 2013 as the mk7 Golf. The car is lighter and very slightly larger. It should be on sale in North America for model year 2014-2015 during calendar year 2014. There was a preview of the mk7 Golf in the below video of the
VW Potsdam Design Center at 4:36. In
any case, if you need a car now I wouldn't hold your breath because by the time
the Golf 7 is on sale they'll be planning the Golf 8.

Note about the changed EPA fuel ratingsTthe EPA
revised the fuel economy rating from 29/40 for DSG and 30/41 manual in 2009 to
30/42 for DSG and 30/41 for manual (for all 2010 TDI). There was a very
small change in the manual transmission gearing and the DSG programming for
2010 to increase fuel economy. The 2 door Golf manual is rated the same as a Jetta w/DSG
transmission but can weigh up to 200 lbs less so your mileage may vary!
Below are the gear ratio differences between the 2009 and 2010s highlighted in
gray. The transmissions use final drive 1 for gear 1, 2, 3, 4, and the other
for gears 5, 6, and reverse. This is why 4th and 5th manual transmission gears have the
same (or almost) ratio. If you want to calculate rpm in any given gear,
see 1000q: tire wheel gearing calculator.

Changes on the new 6th gen 2010 Golf TDI

What they kept from mk5 rabbit (Golf)
Still uses independent rear suspension (+ revised suspension tuning).RNS-510 touchscreen navigation system
can work in both mk5 and mk6 bodies. It might be possible to retrofit the older
non touchscreen MFD2 navigation but the RNS 510 is a much better unit.
Because it's the same engine, you must still use an engine oil that meets
the VW 507.00 oil spec for warranty coverage and long exhaust filter life.
Automatic transmissions are still the 6 speed wet clutch transverse DSG. For video explanations and
reviews of the DSG, see 1000q: VW DSG FAQ
The same basic safety equipment such as front, side, curtain, ABS, stability+yaw
control, and optional
rear lower side airbags are carried over from the 2009 Jetta and Rabbit.
These cars got 2 5 star NHTSA ratings for side impact protection. They
were also Institute for highway safety IIHS top picks for 2009. The Prius
has never been a top safety pick by the IIHS and gets only 1 5 star NHTSA rating
for side impact. *ESP stability control optional in Canada on Golf
hatch/standard on wagon, standard on all VW in
the USA. Make sure
your insurance company knows because these could lower your insurance
premiums.

What they changed on the mk6Uses the basic PQ35 body's frame design but with chassis improvements - more
laser welding, chassis stiffening, and revised suspension. Those who have
driven both cars say the new car is more solid yet rides better.
All new body panels except the roof - the new car is dimensionally similar but
it's styled quite differently.
Xenon HID headlights optional on the Golf TDI in the USA, not optional on earlier
TDI or Canadian Golf TDI.
Side view mirrors changed to reduce wind noise.
10% thicker glass, new windshield seals and dampening layer, new door seals,
additional soundproofing in the A-pillar and firewall, and additional engine
soundproofing all make the car quieter.
Combined with the common rail engine, the Golf TDI is 20% quieter than the old pumpe
duse Golf TDI (not available in US).
Interior is very similar - main differences are radio, climate control, minor
interior trim, instrument gauges, and steering wheel, gallery of differences is
below.
The addition of WOKS: whiplash optimized head restraint system. Euro cars
get knee airbags, this will not be on North American cars.
Instrument gauges white instead of blue/red.
Minor trim differences, shown in gallery below and page 2. All Golf TDI in the USA will have
black cloth seats only, all Jetta TDI will still have leatherette vinyl and
choice of interior colors.
Optional Dynaudio 300w
stereo with 8 speakers, no subwoofer, replaces the Monsoon
stereo.
The new touchscreen RCD 510 radio now has the Sirius satellite radio tuner in
it.
All TDI without the optional stereo get the new premium 8
touchscreen stereo. The reason only the new mk6 Golf gets the new Dynaudio is because while the exterior of the door cards (the door panel
w/armrest, switches, etc.) look similar in mk5 vs. mk6 bodies, the interior of
the door is very different due to new assembly modules.
17 x 7.5" wheels on the 2010 Golf TDI standard in the USA. This
is because USA Golf comes standard with the sport suspension.
The 2009 Jetta TDI had standard 16 x 6.5" wheels, 17" optional.
Everything else being equal, smaller, narrower wheels/tires will give better fuel
economy. 16" wheels are standard on Canadian 2010 Golf TDI.
2010 Golf TDI with DSG have paddle shifters on the steering wheel. There
has been one report of a car arriving without it.
The separate central electric control module and comfort control modules in
earlier VW have been combined into 1 unit. This means that if you want to
retrofit HID lights or foglights it could require replacement of the entire
module. This hasn't been tested so not much more is known about
this.

The DSG transmission 2010 VW Golf TDI now qualifies for a $1700 federal income
tax credit in the US. With manual transmission the credit is
$1300. For more details such as local, state, and federal tax information
and why the Golf gets a higher credit, see 1000q: tax
credit with TDI.

The side view mirrors are a little different on mk5 vs. mk6: The mk5
are rounder and the turn signal is larger. The edge also lets you see when
it's blinking.

The mk6 side view mirror is sharper, has a thinner turn signal, and has a
small window to let you see when it's blinking. It was redesigned to be
more aerodynamic and cut down wind noise, a major source of cabin noise.

Another refinement change was the addition of a small curved piece of trim windshield and a-pillar (the first
pillar) to reduce wind noise and
windshield wiper splash.

2009 vs. 2010 VW Jetta TDI sedan differences:

standard differences

-Color choices are the same except no more laser blue. White gold is
a new color in the US. (US vs. Canada color choices are different)
-9w3 Bluetooth with voice control is now standard in the US. 9w3 bluetooth
has voice control, phone book capability in the MFD+ (full screen multifunction
instrument cluster display), and
outgoing call capability which can be controlled through the MFSW.
-New instrument cluster and steering wheel
-New interior trim bits and seats
-Touchscreen radio "premium 8 RCD-510" replaces non touchscreen radio
"premium 7" for US spec cars. The sirius satellite radio tuner is now in the
radio instead of in the trunk or under the passenger seat.
-Gray interior no longer available
-CECM (central electronic control module) integrated with other modules - it's
unknown if mk5 OEM HID headlights will interface with the car computers.

2009 vs. 2010 Jetta TDI station wagon differences

The Jetta station wagon is called the Golf Variant outside of North America
so it gets some mk6 interior and exterior changes on an
mk5 chassis. The wagon does not get some noticeable mk6 chassis changes
such as thicker glass or more laser welding. Some electrical parts are different
for 2010 because
all 2010 models had these changes. Some examples are the CECM, instrument
cluster, and steering wheel. The headlights are mk6 Golf headlights
so mk5 HID headlights won't work anyways. The side view mirrors are the
mk5 part, not the mk6 part. The wagons are built in Mexico, the mk6 Golf are currently being built in
Europe. Here's my photoshop of what the
wagon will look like with a GTI front bumper. Official pictures are on
page 2. The mk6 Jetta sedan (the current car is an mk5) will be very different from the
Golf so this is
more accurately, a Golf Variant/Wagon.

The exterior changes are the front/rear bumper and
fenders, smoked taillights, Golf headlights, and
deleted whip antenna. The antenna is a big plus since those who use the roof
rails to carry large objects know that the antenna interferes with cargo.
By moving the antenna into the side window glass, it should also reduce wind
noise. However, any car with a radio antenna in the glass should never
have metallic tint applied (window tint with tiny metal particles to reflect
heat). Use only dyed tint or ceramic tint. While all quality tint
blocks most UV light, ceramic tint has tiny particles that reflect heat (not
necessarily visible light) much
better than dyed tint.

It does not get the mk6 side view mirrors despite being called a mk6 by VW.

While the front fenders look like they're from the Golf, they do not fit the Golf. JSW and Golf fenders are different because the rest of the chassis is different from the Golf.

The interior changes are the new dashboard (deleted center vent and smoother
instrument cluster, see pics on page 2), silver trim around the vents, and minor
trim changes like seat belt buckles.

This list below is from the official VW publication for US specs on the 2010
Jetta sportwagen. Now that cars have been delivered, these changes are
confirmed.

cosmetic exterior differences

-Color choices are the same except no more laser blue. White gold is the new
color in the US. (US vs. Canada color choices are different)
-New headlights, same as Golf
new hood, radiator grill/air intake, front fenders, wheel housings, front/rear bumpers, and side marker/VW
logo to match the Golf look
-new rear bumper with smoked tail lights
-deletion of whip antenna, the antenna is now in the window glass,
new 16” alloy wheel choices

cosmetic interior differences

-new door panels (door lock/unlock and side mirror controls moved) and interior fabrics
-new belt buckles
-new instrument cluster (the speedo and tachometer are in pods, wagon only)
-new dashboard (center front diffuser vent deleted, slightly smoother look,
silver trim around the air vents)
-standard multifunction steering wheel in the US (not available on 2009
station wagon TDI)
-standard 9w2 bluetooth in the US - this does not have outgoing call capability
but you can retrofit 9w3 - see 1000q: mk5 bluetooth
FAQ for details.
-touchscreen radio "premium 8 RCD 510" replaces non touchscreen radio
"premium 7" for US (optional on comfortline, standard on highline
in Canada) and the Sirius radio is now located in the head
unit instead of in a separate module.
-Gray interior no longer available

-moving the radio antenna into the glass makes the roof rails more
functional

Below is a spec sheet dated 7/2009 for the 2010 Golf wagon for Canada only. (It's called the
Jetta Sportwagen in the US). Major differences are the options packages
vs. the US. Compared to the Golf 4 door TDI, the wagon gets 16"
"Altanta" alloy wheels instead of 16" "Cleveland" alloy
wheels. The wagon also comes with ESP stability control standard on all
TDI instead of optional on comfortline.

Note: the TDI engine is only available in Comfortline and Highline.
The Highline is only available in TDI.